Town crier eyes city's mayoral chains
Lynley McKerrow. Photo: supplied
Invercargill town crier Lynley McKerrow wants to trade her town cryer bell for the mayoral chains at the council election.
Mrs McKerrow has announced her bid for the top local body seat in Invercargill.
"Somebody said to me are you replacing your bell with a chain. I said, as long as it's not a ball and chain."
She made the decision to stand for mayor after welcoming and farewelling a plane full of visitors from Auckland to the city for the Bluff Oyster Festival last month.
"There was nothing out at that airport ... other than Jane from the Seriously Good Chocolate Factory, that welcomed anybody to Invercargill — the gateway to the South.
"I was mortified ... there was nothing to say that we are warm, caring, welcoming community."
Mrs McKerrow believed the visitors deserved an official welcome to the city.
There had been a void in the council leadership since the second term of the previous mayor, she said.
"Tim [Shadbolt]'s shoes were big shoes to fill as regards to his outgoing personality ... I don't know whether I can do it, but I would like to make a damn good try at it."
She was no stranger to the weight of the mayoral robes after seeing her father serve as Featherston's mayor for 15 years.
"It's not a decision I have taken lightly.
After a lot of soul-searching and long chats with her husband, Terry Hunt, she believed her shoulders were broad enough for the role.
"He's thrilled to pieces. He's 1000% behind me and the great encouragement I could have."
Leadership meant being a good example to people, being able to listen and the ability to "play the ball, not the man".
Councillors often took heat from the public and each other if they disagreed on issues.
By Toni McDonald
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